Integrated circuit chip for receiver collecting signals from satellites

ABSTRACT

An integrated circuit chip includes a first single-ended-to-differential amplifier configured to generate a differential output associated with an input of said first single-ended-to-differential amplifier; a second single-ended-to-differential amplifier arranged in parallel with said first single-ended-to-differential amplifier; a first set of switch circuits arranged downstream of said first single-ended-to-differential amplifier; a second set of switch circuits arranged downstream of said second single-ended-to-differential amplifier; and a first differential-to-single-ended amplifier arranged downstream of a first one of said switch circuits in said first set and downstream of a first one of said switch circuits in said second set.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/180,363,filed on Feb. 14, 2014, now pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

The present invention relates generally to an integrated circuit chipfor a satellite receiver, and more particularly to an integrated circuitchip embedded with a switch matrix, multiplesingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers arranged in parallel andupstream of the switch matrix and multiple differential-to-single-endedamplifiers arranged in parallel and downstream of the switch matrix.

Brief Description of the Related Art

Satellite television has become increasingly popular due to variouscontents. A satellite television system typically includes an antennaarray configured to collect signals from satellites and a satellitereceiver containing amplifiers configured to amplify the collectedsignals, band-pass filters (BPF) configured to pass the collectedsignals at frequencies within a certain frequency range and to attenuatethe collected signals at frequencies outside the frequency range, andmixers configured to convert the collected signals at radio frequenciesinto ones at intermediate frequencies. Thereby, the collected signalsmay be processed into optimum amplified signals in a base orintermediate frequency band so as to be demodulated in a set top box.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention provides an integrated circuit chip for a signalreceiver configured to collect signals from one or more satellites in afield of view of the signal receiver.

The integrated circuit chip may include a firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier configured to generate adifferential output associated with an input of the firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier; a secondsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier arranged in parallel with thefirst single-ended-to-differential amplifier, wherein the secondsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier is configured to generate adifferential output associated with an input of the secondsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier; a first set of switch circuitsarranged downstream of the first single-ended-to-differential amplifier,wherein one of the switch circuits in the first set comprises adifferential input associated with the differential output of the firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier; a second set of switch circuitsarranged downstream of the second single-ended-to-differentialamplifier, wherein one of the switch circuits in the second setcomprises a differential input associated with the differential outputof the second single-ended-to-differential amplifier; and a firstdifferential-to-single-ended amplifier arranged downstream of a firstone of the switch circuits in the first set and downstream of a firstone of the switch circuits in the second set, wherein the firstdifferential-to-single-ended amplifier comprises a differential inputassociated with a differential output of the first one of the switchcircuits in the first set.

Alternatively, the integrated circuit chip may further include a seconddifferential-to-single-ended amplifier arranged downstream of a secondone of the switch circuits in the first set and downstream of a secondone of the switch circuits in the second set, wherein the seconddifferential-to-single-ended amplifier comprises a differential inputassociated with a differential output of the second one of the switchcircuits in the first set or a differential output of the second one ofthe switch circuits in the second set.

Alternatively, the integrated circuit chip may further include a firstset of differential-to-differential amplifiers arranged downstream ofthe first single-ended-to-differential amplifier and upstream of thefirst set of switch circuits, wherein one of thedifferential-to-differential amplifiers in the first set comprises adifferential input is associated with the differential output of thefirst single-ended-to-differential amplifier and a differential outputassociated with the differential input of said one of the switchcircuits in the first set, and a second set ofdifferential-to-differential amplifiers arranged downstream of thesecond single-ended-to-differential amplifier and upstream of the secondset of switch circuits, wherein one of the differential-to-differentialamplifiers in the second set comprises a differential input isassociated with the differential output of the secondsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier and a differential outputassociated with the differential input of said one of the switchcircuits in the second set.

Alternatively, the differential output of the firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier has a phase difference of 180degrees. The differential output of said one of the switch circuits inthe first set has a phase difference of 180 degrees. The differentialinput of said one of the switch circuits in the first set has a phasedifference of 180 degrees. The differential input of the firstdifferential-to-single-ended amplifier has a phase difference of 180degrees.

Alternatively, the integrated circuit chip is assembled in a signalreceiver configured to process multiple signals from one or moresatellites.

These, as well as other components, steps, features, benefits, andadvantages of the present disclosure, will now become clear from areview of the following detailed description of illustrativeembodiments, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings disclose illustrative embodiments of the presentdisclosure. They do not set forth all embodiments. Other embodiments maybe used in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent orunnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effectiveillustration. Conversely, some embodiments may be practiced without allof the details that are disclosed. When the same reference number orreference indicator appears in different drawings, it may refer to thesame or like components or steps.

Aspects of the disclosure may be more fully understood from thefollowing description when read together with the accompanying drawings,which are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as limiting.The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placedon the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an integrated circuit chip inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a pin assignment of the integrated circuit chip 10 inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an integrated circuit chip inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a schematically cross-sectional view of a second type ofelectronic package for an integrated circuit chip;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a first combination for theintegrated circuit chip illustrated in the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a second combination for theintegrated circuit chip illustrated in the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a third combination for theintegrated circuit chip illustrated in the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a fourth combination for multipleof the integrated circuit chips illustrated in the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a fifth combination for theintegrated circuit chip illustrated in the first embodiment;

While certain embodiments are depicted in the drawings, one skilled inthe art will appreciate that the embodiments depicted are illustrativeand that variations of those shown, as well as other embodimentsdescribed herein, may be envisioned and practiced within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments are now described. Other embodiments may beused in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessarymay be omitted to save space or for a more effective presentation.Conversely, some embodiments may be practiced without all of the detailsthat are disclosed.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an integrated circuit chip 10 inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Theintegrated circuit chip 10 may be employed in a signal receiver, such aslow-noise block (LNB), configured to process data streams or signalsfrom one or more satellites in a field of view of the signal receiver.

Referring to FIG. 1, the integrated circuit chip 10 may include (1) foursingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 arranged in parallel, (2) afirst set of four differential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a, i.e. thetopmost four, arranged in parallel and downstream of a first one, i.e.the topmost one, of the four single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11,(3) a second set of four differential-to-differential amplifiers 16 b,i.e. the second top four, arranged in parallel and downstream of asecond one, i.e. the second top one, of the foursingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11, (4) a third set of fourdifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 c, i.e. the second bottomfour, arranged in parallel and downstream of a third one, i.e. thesecond bottom one, of the four single-ended-to-differential amplifiers11, (5) a fourth set of four differential-to-differential amplifiers 16d, i.e. the bottommost four, arranged in parallel and downstream of afourth one, i.e. the bottommost one, of the foursingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11, (6) a switch matrix having afirst set of four switch circuits 12 a, i.e. the topmost four, arrangedin parallel and downstream of the four differential-to-differentialamplifiers 16 a in the first set, a second set of four switch circuits12 b, i.e. the second top four, arranged in parallel and downstream ofthe four differential-to-differential amplifiers 16 b in the second set,a third set of four switch circuits 12 c, i.e. the second bottom four,arranged in parallel and downstream of the fourdifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 c in the third set, and afourth set of four switch circuits 12 d, i.e. the bottommost four,arranged in parallel and downstream of the fourdifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 d in the fourth set, (7) fourdifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 arranged in parallel anddownstream of the switch matrix, wherein a first one of the fourdifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13, i.e. the topmost one, may bearranged downstream of the topmost ones of the switch circuits 12 a-12 din the first through fourth sets, a second one of the fourdifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13, i.e. the second top one, maybe arranged downstream of the second top ones of the switch circuits 12a-12 d in the first through fourth sets, a third one of the fourdifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13, i.e. the second bottom one,may be arranged downstream of the second bottom ones of the switchcircuits 12 a-12 d in the first through fourth sets, and a fourth one ofthe four differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13, i.e. the bottommostone, may be arranged downstream of the bottommost ones of the switchcircuits 12 a-12 d in the first through fourth sets.

Referring to FIG. 1, each of the single-ended-to-differential amplifiers11, i.e. differential amplifiers, may have its input to be amplified asa differential output of said each of the single-ended-to-differentialamplifiers 11, wherein the differential output of said each of thesingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 is associated with the inputof said each of the single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 and hasphase difference of substantially 180 degrees. Each of thedifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a-16 d in the first throughfourth sets may have a differential input to be amplified as adifferential output of said each of the differential-to-differentialamplifiers 16 a-16 d in the first through fourth sets, wherein thedifferential output of said each of the differential-to-differentialamplifiers 16 a-16 d in the first through fourth sets has phasedifference of substantially 180 degrees and the differential input ofsaid each of the differential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a-16 d inthe first through fourth sets has phase difference of substantially 180degrees, wherein the differential output of said each of thedifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a-16 d in the first throughfourth sets is associated with the differential input of said each ofthe differential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a-16 d in the firstthrough fourth sets. Each of the differential-to-single-ended amplifiers13, i.e. differential amplifiers, may have its differential input to beamplified as an output of said each of the differential-to-single-endedamplifiers 13, wherein the output of said each of thedifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 is associated with thedifferential input of said each of the differential-to-single-endedamplifiers 13 and the differential input of said each of thedifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 has phase difference ofsubstantially 180 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 1, the switch matrix may be a differential passiveswitch matrix having four switch circuits 12 a, 12 b, 12 c or 12 d ineach of the first through fourth sets having four respectivedifferential inputs coupled respectively to four of the sixteendifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a-16 d in a corresponding oneof the first through fourth sets and four respective differentialoutputs coupled respectively to the four differential-to-single-endedamplifiers 13. The first set of four switch circuits 12 a may becontrolled to or not to couple the first set of fourdifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a to the fourdifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 respectively. The second setof four switch circuits 12 b may be controlled to or not to couple thesecond set of four differential-to-differential amplifiers 16 b to thefour differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 respectively. The thirdset of four switch circuits 12 c may be controlled to or not to couplethe third set of four differential-to-differential amplifiers 16 c tothe four differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 respectively. Thefourth set of four switch circuits 12 d may be controlled to or not tocouple the fourth set of four differential-to-differential amplifiers 16d to the four differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 respectively.

Referring to FIG. 1, one of the differential-to-differential amplifiers16 a-16 d may be switched to be powered on when one of the switchcircuits 12 a-12 d having the differential input coupled to thedifferential output of said one of the differential-to-differentialamplifiers 16 a-16 d is switched to couple said one of thedifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a-16 d to one of the fourdifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13. One of thedifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a-16 d may be switched to bepowered off when one of the switch circuits 12 a-12 d having thedifferential input coupled to the differential output of said one of thedifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a-16 d is switched not tocouple said one of the differential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a-16 dto one of the four differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13. Forexample, the topmost one of the differential-to-differential amplifiers16 a may be switched to be powered on when the topmost one of the switchcircuits 12 a is switched to couple the topmost one of thedifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a to the topmost one of thefour differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13. The topmost one of thedifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a may be switched to bepowered off when the topmost one of the switch circuits 12 a is switchednot to couple the topmost one of the differential-to-differentialamplifiers 16 a to the topmost one of the fourdifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13.

For an example, referring to FIG. 1, the switch matrix may switch thefirst one of the four single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 to becoupled to the first and second ones of the fourdifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 and may switch the second oneof the four single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 to be coupled tothird and fourth ones of the four differential-to-single-endedamplifiers 13. Accordingly, the outputs of the first and second ones ofthe differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 are associated with theinput of the first one of the single-ended-to-differential amplifiers11, and the outputs of the third and fourth ones of thedifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 are associated with the inputof the second one of the single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11. Thefirst and second ones of the four differential-to-single-endedamplifiers 13 may have the two respective outputs having the same firstband width at the first center frequency as the input of the first oneof the four single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11. The third andfourth ones of the four differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 mayhave the two respective outputs having the same second band width at thesecond center frequency as the input of the second one of the foursingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11. The first band width mayhave the same frequency range as the second band width. The first centerfrequency may be different from the second center frequency and therespective inputs of the first and second ones of the foursingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 have the same polarization,such as either of vertical, horizontal, right-hand circular andleft-hand circular polarizations. Alternatively, the first centerfrequency may be the same as the second center frequency and therespective inputs of the first and second ones of thesingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 have different polarizations,such as vertical and horizontal polarizations respectively or right-handand left-hand circular polarizations respectively. Alternatively, thefirst center frequency may be different from the second center frequencyand the respective inputs of the first and second ones of thesingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 have different polarizations,such as vertical and horizontal polarizations respectively or right-handand left-hand circular polarizations respectively.

For another example, referring to FIG. 1, the switch matrix may switchthe first one of the four single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 tobe coupled to the first one of the four differential-to-single-endedamplifiers 13, switch the second one of the foursingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 to be coupled to the secondone of the four differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13, switch thethird one of the four single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 to becoupled to the third one of the four differential-to-single-endedamplifiers 13 and switch the fourth one of the foursingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 to be coupled to the fourthone of the four differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13. Accordingly,the output of the first one of the differential-to-single-endedamplifiers 13 is associated with the input of the first one of thesingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11, the output of the second oneof the differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 is associated with theinput of the second one of the single-ended-to-differential amplifiers11, the output of the third one of the differential-to-single-endedamplifiers 13 is associated with the input of the third one of thesingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 and the output of the fourthone of the differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 is associated withthe input of the fourth one of the single-ended-to-differentialamplifiers 11. The first one of the four differential-to-single-endedamplifiers 13 may have the output having the same first band width atthe first center frequency as the input of the first one of the foursingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11. The second one of the fourdifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 may have the output havingthe same second band width at the second center frequency as the inputof the second one of the four single-ended-to-differential amplifiers11. The third one of the four differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13may have the output having the same third band width at the third centerfrequency as the input of the third one of the foursingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11. The fourth one of the fourdifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 may have the output havingthe same fourth band width at the fourth center frequency as the inputof the fourth one of the four single-ended-to-differential amplifiers11. The first band width may have the same frequency range as thesecond, third and fourth band widths have. For consideration ofpolarization, the inputs of the first and third ones of the foursingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 may have a verticalpolarization, and the inputs of the second and fourth ones of the foursingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 may have a horizontalpolarization; alternatively, the inputs of the first and third ones ofthe four single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 may have aright-hand circular polarization, and the inputs of the second andfourth ones of the four single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 mayhave a left-hand circular polarization, as an example for the followingfirst through seventh combinations. The first center frequency may bethe same as the second center frequency and the respective inputs of thefirst and second ones of the single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11have different polarizations, such as vertical and horizontalpolarizations respectively or right-hand and left-hand circularpolarizations respectively. The first center frequency may be differentfrom the third center frequency and the respective inputs of the firstand third ones of the single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 havethe same polarization, such as either of vertical, horizontal,right-hand circular and left-hand circular polarizations. The firstcenter frequency may be different from the fourth center frequency andthe respective inputs of the first and fourth ones of thesingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 have different polarizations,such as vertical and horizontal polarizations respectively or right-handand left-hand circular polarizations respectively.

Referring to FIG. 1, each of the differential-to-single-ended amplifiers13 may have its differential input to be amplified as an output of saideach of the four amplifiers 13 and have an optimum 1 dB compressionpoint (P1 dB) to prevent electronic devices downstream of the fourrespective amplifiers 13 from being burned out when an excessive powerflows through one of the four differential-to-single-ended amplifiers13.

Thereby, the integrated circuit chip 10 may provide the switch circuits12 a-12 d for switching differential signals with phase difference ofsubstantially 180 degrees such that crosstalk may be reduced and signalisolation may be enhanced. Furthermore, the differential-to-differentialamplifiers 16 a-16 d may be arranged upstream of the switch circuits 12a-12 d to amplify the inputs of the switch circuits 12 a-12 d for goodgain balance.

FIG. 2 illustrates a pin assignment of the integrated circuit chip 10 inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. Referringto FIG. 2, the integrated circuit chip 10 includes four pins IN1, IN2,IN3 and IN4 coupled respectively to the four respective inputs of thefour single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11, four pins Out1, Out2,Out3 and Out4 coupled respectively to the four respective outputs of thefour differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 and a circuit block 12incorporating the first through fourth sets of switch circuits 12 a-12 dand the first through fourth sets of differential-to-differentialamplifiers 16 a-16 d as mentioned in the above embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the integrated circuit chip 10 may further includea voltage and tone detector 14 having four inputs coupled respectivelyto four pins V1, V2, V3 and V4 of the integrated circuit chip 10 and adecoder 15 arranged downstream of the voltage and tone detector 14 andupstream of the switch matrix of the circuit block 12, for example. Thevoltage and tone detector 14 may detect whether each of the voltages atthe four respective pins V1, V2, V3 and V4, at the four respectiveinputs of the voltage and tone detector 14, is at a high logic level ora low logic level as a corresponding one of outputs of the voltage andtone detector 14 to be coupled to a corresponding one of inputs of thedecoder 15. The decoder 15 may decode its inputs to control the switchmatrix of the circuit block 12 to switch or pass one of the foursingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 to be coupled to one of thefour differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 and to control thedifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a-16 d to be powered on oroff.

Referring to FIG. 2, the integrated circuit chip 10 may further includemultiple pins GND coupled to ground nodes of the amplifiers 11, 13 and16 a-16 d, switch circuits 12 a-12 d, voltage and tone detector 14 anddecoder 15 or a ground reference of the integrated circuit chip 10 so asto provide a ground voltage to the amplifiers 11, 13 and 16 a-16 d,switch circuits 12 a-12 d, voltage and tone detector 14 and decoder 15.The integrated circuit chip 10 may further include multiple pins VDDcoupled to power nodes of the amplifiers 11, 13 and 16 a-16 d, switchcircuits 12 a-12 d, voltage and tone detector 14 and decoder 15 so as tosupply power to the amplifiers 11, 13 and 16 a-16 d, switch circuits 12a-12 d, voltage and tone detector 14 and decoder 15. The integratedcircuit chip 10 may further include multiple pins C1-C4 acting as aninternal alternate-current (AC) ground.

Alternatively, FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an integratedcircuit chip in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention. The same reference number illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3indicates elements having the same functions. Referring to FIG. 3, theintegrated circuit chip 10 may include (1) foursingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 arranged in parallel, (2) afirst set of two differential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a, i.e. thetopmost two, arranged in parallel and downstream of a first one, i.e.the topmost one, of the four single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11,(3) a second set of two differential-to-differential amplifiers 16 b,i.e. the second top two, arranged in parallel and downstream of a secondone, i.e. the second top one, of the four single-ended-to-differentialamplifiers 11, (4) a third set of two differential-to-differentialamplifiers 16 c, i.e. the second bottom two, arranged in parallel anddownstream of a third one, i.e. the second bottom one, of the foursingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11, (5) a fourth set of twodifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 d, i.e. the bottommost two,arranged in parallel and downstream of a fourth one, i.e. the bottommostone, of the four single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11, (6) aswitch matrix having a first set of two switch circuits 12 a, i.e. thetopmost two, arranged in parallel and downstream of the twodifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a in the first set, a secondset of four switch circuits 12 b, i.e. the second top two, arranged inparallel and downstream of the two differential-to-differentialamplifiers 16 b in the second set, a third set of two switch circuits 12c, i.e. the second bottom two, arranged in parallel and downstream ofthe two differential-to-differential amplifiers 16 c in the third set,and a fourth set of four switch circuits 12 d, i.e. the bottommost two,arranged in parallel and downstream of the twodifferential-to-differential amplifiers 16 d in the fourth set, (7) twodifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13 arranged in parallel anddownstream of the switch matrix, wherein a first one of the twodifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13, i.e. the top one, may bearranged downstream of the top ones of the switch circuits 12 a-12 d inthe first through fourth sets, and a second one of the twodifferential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13, i.e. the bottom one, may bearranged downstream of the bottom ones of the switch circuits 12 a-12 din the first through fourth sets.

Physical Infrastructure for Integrated Circuit Chip

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the integrated circuit chip 10 mayinclude a semiconductor substrate, such as silicon substrate, having itsactive devices, such as transistors, its passive devices, such asresistors, capacitors and/or inductors, and its conductive traces, suchas damascene electroplated cupper traces or sputtered aluminum traces,formed on or over the silicon substrate.

For the first and second embodiments, referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,these active devices, passive devices and conductive traces compose theamplifiers 11, 13 and 16 a-16 d, switch circuits 12 a-12 d, voltage andtone detector 14 and decoder 15 formed over the common semiconductorsubstrate, and some of the conductive traces may form the connectionbetween each of the four single-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 andthe corresponding set of differential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a,16 b, 16 c or 16 d, between each of the differential-to-differentialamplifiers 16 a-16 d and the corresponding one of the switch circuits 12a-12 d, between each of the four differential-to-single-ended amplifiers13 and the corresponding set of switch circuits 12 a, 12 b, 12 c or 12d, between the decoder 15 and the switch circuits 12 a-12 d, between thedecoder 15 and the differential-to-differential amplifiers 16 a-16 d,and between the decoder 15 and the voltage and tone detector 14.

Package for Integrated Circuit Chip

FIG. 4 shows a schematically cross-sectional view of a second type ofelectronic package for an integrated circuit chip. Referring to FIG. 4,the second type of electronic package 40 may include (1) a lead frame41, (2) an integrated circuit chip 42 attached to a top surface of thelead frame 42, (3) multiple wirebonded wires 43 each extending acrossover a corresponding edge of the integrated circuit chip 42 toelectrically connect a corresponding metal pad 44 of the integratedcircuit chip 42 to a corresponding metal lead or pin 45 of the leadframe 42 and (4) a mold 46 formed over the top surface of the lead frame41 to encapsulate the integrated circuit chip 42 and the wirebondedwires 43.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the integrated circuit chip 42 may beeither one of the integrated circuit chips 10 as mentioned in the aboveembodiments. Some of the metal pads 44 of the integrated circuit chip 42may be connected respectively to the inputs of thesingle-ended-to-differential amplifiers 11 and some other of the metalpads 44 of the integrated circuit chip 42 may be connected respectivelyto the outputs of the differential-to-single-ended amplifiers 13; eachof the metal pads 44 may be arranged with the same electrical functionas a corresponding one of the pins IN1-IN4, Out1-Out4, VDD, GND, V1-V4and C1-C4 provides.

First Combination for Integrated Circuit Chip Illustrated in the FirstEmbodiment

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a first combination for theintegrated circuit chip 10 illustrated in the first embodiment. The samereference number illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 indicates elementshaving the same functions.

In the first combination, referring to FIG. 5, a signal receiver 50,such as low-noise block (LNB), may be provided to process vertically andhorizontally polarized signals or right-hand and left-hand circularlypolarized signals collected by an antenna feed horn at a focal point ofa reflector dish for a satellite in a field of view of the signalreceiver 50. The signal receiver 50 may include (1) the integratedcircuit chip 10, (2) four amplifiers 51 arranged in parallel andupstream of the four respective amplifiers 11 of the integrated circuitchip 10, (3) four mixers 52 arranged in parallel and upstream of thefour respective amplifiers 51, (4) two local oscillators (LO) 53 eachcoupled to two of the four mixers 52, wherein a first one of the localoscillators (LO) 53 is coupled to first and second ones, i.e. top twoones, of the four mixers 52 and a second one of the local oscillators(LO) 53 is coupled to third and fourth ones, i.e. bottom two ones, ofthe four mixers 52, (5) four band-pass filters (BPF) 54 arranged inparallel and upstream of the four respective mixers 52, wherein first,second, third and fourth ones (from top to bottom) of the four band-passfilters (BPF) 54 have four respective outputs coupled to four respectiveinputs of the first, third, second and fourth ones of the four mixers23, respectively, (6) two splitters 55, i.e. power divider, arranged inparallel and upstream of the four band-pass filters (BPF) 54, wherein afirst (top) one of the two splitters 55 has two outputs coupledrespectively to two respective inputs of the first and second ones ofthe band-pass filters (BPF) 54 and a second (bottom) one of the twosplitters 55 has two outputs coupled respectively to two respectiveinputs of the third and fourth ones of the band-pass filters (BPF) 54,and (7) two sets of three-stage amplifiers 56 arranged in parallel andupstream of the two respective splitters 55, wherein each of the twosets of three-stage amplifiers 56 includes three amplifiers arranged inseries. Alternatively, the two sets of three-stage amplifiers 56 may bereplaced by two sets of two-stage amplifiers arranged in parallel andupstream of the two respective splitters 55, wherein each of the twosets of two-stage amplifiers includes two amplifiers arranged in series.Alternatively, the two sets of three-stage amplifiers 56 may be replacedby two single-stage amplifiers arranged in parallel and upstream of thetwo respective splitters 55.

Referring to FIG. 5, each of the four amplifiers 51 may be a poweramplifier, for example, having its input to be amplified as the outputof said each of the amplifiers 51.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first and second ones of the four mixers 52 isconfigured to convert a fourth frequency band (F4), ranging from 3.0 GHzto 22.0 GHz, and preferably ranging from 10.7 GHz to 12.75 GHz, forexample, at the inputs of the first and second ones of the mixers 52into a fifth frequency band (F5), ranging from 10 Hz to 4 GHz andpreferably ranging from 950 MHz to 2150 MHz, for example, at outputs ofthe first and second ones of the mixers 52 based on a frequency within afrequency range between 3.0 GHz and 20.0 GHz and preferably between 8.0GHz and 12.0 GHz, such as 9.75 GHz, at an output of the first one of thelocal oscillators (LO) 53, which may be subtracted from the fourthfrequency band (F4) to obtain the fifth frequency band (F5), wherein thefifth frequency band (F5) has an upper limit below a lower limit of thefourth frequency band (F4). The third and fourth ones of the four mixers52 is configured to convert the fourth frequency band (F4), ranging from3.0 GHz to 22.0 GHz, and preferably ranging from 10.7 GHz to 12.75 GHz,for example, at the inputs of the third and fourth ones of the mixers 52into a sixth frequency band (F6), ranging from 10 Hz to 4 GHz andpreferably ranging from 950 MHz to 2150 MHz, for example, at outputs ofthe third and fourth ones of the mixers 52 based on a frequency within afrequency range between 3.0 GHz and 20.0 GHz and preferably between 8.0GHz and 12.0 GHz, such as 10.6 GHz, at an output of the second one ofthe local oscillators (LO) 53, which may be subtracted from the fourthfrequency band (F4) to obtain the sixth frequency band (F6), wherein thesixth frequency band (F6) has an upper limit below a lower limit of thefourth frequency band (F4). The sixth frequency band (F6) has a lowerlimit below that of the fifth frequency band (F5) and an upper limitbelow that of the fifth frequency band (F5). The outputs of the fourmixers 52 may be coupled respectively to inputs of the four amplifiers51.

Referring to FIG. 5, each of the four band-pass filters (BPF) 54 maypass its input at frequencies within a certain frequency range andattenuate its input at frequencies outside the frequency range as anoutput of said each of the band-pass filters (BPF) 54. The outputs ofthe first, second, third and fourth ones of the band-pass filters (BPF)54 are coupled respectively to inputs of the first, third, second andfourth ones of the mixers 54.

Referring to FIG. 5, each of the four splitters 55 may split its inputinto two identities with substantially the same power at two respectiveoutputs of said each of the splitters 55. The two outputs of the firstone of the splitters 55 are coupled to the respective inputs of thefirst and second ones of the band-pass filters (BPF) 54, respectively.The two outputs of the second one of the splitters 55 are coupled to therespective inputs of the third and fourth ones of the band-pass filters(BPF) 54, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 5, each amplifier in each set of three-stageamplifiers 56 may be a low noise amplifier (LNA), for example, havingits input to be amplified as an output of said each amplifier.Accordingly, each of the two sets of three-stage amplifiers 56 may haveits input to be amplified stage by stage as an output of said each ofthe two sets of three-stage amplifiers 56, and thus said each of the twosets of three-stage amplifiers 56 has the output amplified with a lownoise. The vertically polarized signal collected from the antenna feedhorn may be transmitted to the input of one, i.e. top one, of the twosets of three-stage amplifiers 56, and the horizontally polarized signalcollected from the antenna feed horn may be transmitted to the input ofthe other one, i.e. bottom one, of the two sets of three-stageamplifiers 56; alternatively, the right-hand circularly polarized signalcollected from the antenna feed horn may be transmitted to the input ofone, i.e. top one, of the two sets of three-stage amplifiers 56, and theleft-hand circularly polarized signal collected from the antenna feedhorn may be transmitted to the input of the other one, i.e. bottom one,of the two sets of three-stage amplifiers 56.

Referring to FIG. 5, the signal receiver 50 may generate four outputsfrom the four respective amplifiers 13 of the integrated circuit chip 10to four respective set top boxes in an indoor system through fourrespective cables.

Referring to FIG. 5, the integrated circuit chip 10 may be packaged likethe above electronic package 40 to be mounted onto a mother circuitboard (not shown) via the metal pins 45. Each of the amplifiers 51, eachof the mixers 52, each of the local oscillators (LO) 53, each of theband-pass filters (BPF) 54, each of the splitters 55 and each one ineach set of three-stage amplifiers 56 may be implemented in anothercorresponding discrete integrated circuit chip to be packaged intoanother corresponding discrete electronic package that may be mountedonto the mother circuit board (not shown) via solder balls or metal pinsof the another corresponding discrete electronic package, for example.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 5, the first one of the splitters 55may be coupled to the first and third ones of the four mixers 52 withomission of two, i.e. top two, of the four band-pass filters (BPF) 22from two respective signal paths between the first one of the splitters55 and the first and third ones of the four mixers 52. The second one ofthe splitters 55 may be coupled to the second and fourth ones of thefour mixers 52 with omission of another two, i.e. bottom two, of thefour band-pass filters (BPF) 22 from two respective signal paths betweenthe second one of the splitters 55 and the second and fourth ones of thefour mixers 52.

Second Combination for Integrated Circuit Chip Illustrated in the FirstEmbodiment

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a second combination for theintegrated circuit chip 10 illustrated in the first embodiment. The samereference number illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 indicates elementshaving the same functions.

In the second combination, referring to FIG. 6, another signal receiver60, such as low-noise block (LNB), may be provided to process verticallyand horizontally polarized signals or right-hand and left-handcircularly polarized signals collected by an antenna feed horn at afocal point of a reflector dish for a satellite in a field of view ofthe signal receiver 60. The signal receiver 60, in comparison to thesignal receiver 50 illustrated in FIG. 5, may further include fouramplifiers 61 arranged in parallel and downstream of the four respectiveamplifiers 13 of the integrated circuit chip 10. Each of the fouramplifiers 61 may have its input to be amplified as an output of saideach of the four amplifiers 61 and have an optimum 1 dB compressionpoint (P1 dB) to prevent electronic devices downstream of the fourrespective amplifiers 61 from being burned out when an excessive poweris provided to one of the four amplifiers 61. Alternatively, the fouramplifiers 51 illustrated in FIG. 5 may be omitted respectively fromfour respective signal paths between the four mixers 52 and the fouramplifiers 11 of the integrated circuit chip 1 such that the outputs ofthe four mixers 52 may be coupled respectively to the inputs of the fouramplifiers 11 of the integrated circuit chip 10.

Referring to FIG. 6, the signal receiver 60 may generate four outputsfrom the four respective amplifiers 61 to four respective set top boxesin an indoor system through four respective cables.

Referring to FIG. 6, the integrated circuit chip 10 may be packaged likethe above electronic package 40 to be mounted onto a mother circuitboard (not shown) via the metal pins 45. Each of the mixers 52, each ofthe local oscillators (LO) 53, each of the band-pass filters (BPF) 54,each of the splitters 55, each one in each set of three-stage amplifiers56 and each of the amplifiers 61 may be implemented in anothercorresponding discrete integrated circuit chip to be packaged intoanother corresponding discrete electronic package that may be mountedonto the mother circuit board (not shown) via solder balls or metal pinsof the another corresponding discrete electronic package, for example.

Third Combination for Integrated Circuit Chip Illustrated in the FirstEmbodiment

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a third combination for theintegrated circuit chip 10 illustrated in the first embodiment. The samereference number illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 7 indicates elementshaving the same functions.

In the third combination, referring to FIG. 7, another signal receiver70, such as low-noise block (LNB), may be provided to process verticallyand horizontally polarized signals or right-hand and left-handcircularly polarized signals collected by an antenna feed horn at afocal point of a reflector dish for a satellite in a field of view ofthe signal receiver 70. The signal receiver 70, in comparison to theblock diagram illustrated in FIG. 5, may further include four channelrouters 71 arranged in parallel and downstream of the four respectiveamplifiers 13 of the integrated circuit chip 10 and four amplifiers 72arranged in parallel and downstream of the four respective channelrouters 71.

Referring to FIG. 7, each of the four channel routers 71 may becontrolled to select one from multiple frequency sub-bands within aseventh frequency band (F7), ranging from 10 Hz to 4 GHz and preferablyranging from 950 MHz to 2150 MHz, for example, at its input of said eachof the four channel routers 71 and convert the selected one of thefrequency sub-bands into a predetermined frequency sub-band within theseventh frequency band (F7) at its output of said each of the fourchannel routers 71, wherein the seventh frequency band (F7) may have thesame bandwidth as the fifth frequency band (F5) and/or as the sixthfrequency band (F6), and the seventh frequency band (F7) may cover thesame frequency range as the fifth frequency band (F5) and/or as thesixth frequency band (F6).

Referring to FIG. 7, each of the four amplifiers 72 may have its inputto be amplified as an output of said each of the four amplifiers 72 andhave an optimum 1 dB compression point (P1dB) to prevent electronicdevices downstream of the four respective amplifiers 72 from beingburned out when an excessive power is provided to one of the fouramplifiers 72.

Referring to FIG. 7, the signal receiver 70 may generate four outputsfrom the four respective amplifiers 72 to four respective set top boxesin an indoor system through four respective cables.

Referring to FIG. 7, the integrated circuit chip 10 may be packaged likethe above electronic package 40 to be mounted onto a mother circuitboard (not shown) via the metal pins 45. Each of the amplifiers 51, eachof the mixers 52, each of the local oscillators (LO) 53, each of theband-pass filters (BPF) 54, each of the splitters 55, each one in eachset of three-stage amplifiers 56, each of the amplifiers 61 and each ofthe channel routers 71 may be implemented in another correspondingdiscrete integrated circuit chip to be packaged into anothercorresponding discrete electronic package that may be mounted onto themother circuit board (not shown) via solder balls or metal pins of theanother corresponding discrete electronic package, for example.

Fourth Combination for Integrated Circuit Chip Illustrated in the FirstEmbodiment

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a fourth combination for multipleof the integrated circuit chips 10 illustrated in the first embodiment.The same reference number illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 8 indicateselements having the same functions.

In the fifth combination, referring to FIG. 8, another signal receiver90, such as low-noise block (LNB), may be provided to process verticallyand horizontally polarized signals or right-hand and left-handcircularly polarized signals collected by an antenna feed horn at afocal point of a reflector dish for a satellite in a field of view ofthe signal receiver 90. The signal receiver 90, in comparison to theblock diagram illustrated in FIG. 5, may further include four splitters91, i.e. power divider, arranged in parallel and downstream of the fourrespective amplifiers 51 and two integrated circuit chips 10, each ofwhich may be referred to one illustrated in FIG. 1, arranged in paralleland downstream of the four splitters 91.

Referring to FIG. 8, each of the four splitters 91 may split its inputinto two identities with substantially the same power at two respectiveoutputs of said each of the splitters 91 to be transmitted respectivelyto respective two of the amplifiers 11 of the two integrated circuitchips 10. The four splitters 91 have the four respective inputs coupledrespectively to the four respective outputs of the four amplifiers 51.

Referring to FIG. 8, the signal receiver 90 may generate eight outputsfrom the eight respective amplifiers 13, each of which is provided by acorresponding one of the two integrated circuit chips 10, to eightrespective set top boxes in an indoor system through eight respectivecables.

Referring to FIG. 8, each of the two integrated circuit chips 10 may bepackaged like the above electronic package 40 to be mounted onto amother circuit board (not shown) via the metal pins 45. Each of theamplifiers 51, each of the mixers 52, each of the local oscillators (LO)53, each of the band-pass filters (BPF) 54, each of the splitters 55,each of the splitters 91 and each one in each set of three-stageamplifiers 56 may be implemented in another corresponding discreteintegrated circuit chip to be packaged into another correspondingdiscrete electronic package that may be mounted onto the mother circuitboard (not shown) via solder balls or metal pins of the anothercorresponding discrete electronic package, for example.

Fifth Combination for Integrated Circuit Chip Illustrated in the FirstEmbodiment

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a fifth combination for theintegrated circuit chip 10 illustrated in the first embodiment. The samereference number illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 9 indicates elementshaving the same functions.

In the seventh combination, referring to FIG. 9, another signal receiver110, such as low-noise block (LNB), may be provided to process two setsof vertically and horizontally polarized signals or two sets ofright-hand and left-hand circularly polarized signals collected by tworespective antenna feed horns at two respective focal points of areflector dish for two satellites in a field of view of the signalreceiver 110. The signal receiver 110 may include (1) two integratedcircuit chips 10, each of which may be referred to one illustrated inFIG. 1, arranged in parallel, (2) four switch matrixs 111 arranged inparallel and downstream of the two integrated circuit chips 10 and (3)four amplifiers 112 arranged in parallel and downstream of the fourrespective switch matrixs 111.

Referring to FIG. 9, the elements upstream of each of the two integratedcircuit chips 10 may be referred to the elements upstream of theintegrated circuit chip 10 illustrated in FIG. 6. The verticallypolarized signal collected from a first one of the two antenna feedhorns at a first one of the focal points of the reflector dish for afirst one of the satellites may be transmitted to the input of one, i.e.the top one, of the two sets of three-stage amplifiers 56 arrangedupstream of a first one, i.e. the top one, of the two integrated circuitchips 10, and the horizontally polarized signal collected from the firstone of the two antenna feed horns may be transmitted to the input of theother one, i.e. the second top one, of the two sets of three-stageamplifiers 56 arranged upstream of the first one of the two integratedcircuit chips 10. The vertically polarized signal collected from asecond one of the two antenna feed horns at a second one of the focalpoints of the reflector dish for a second one of the satellites may betransmitted to the input of one, i.e. the second bottom one, of the twosets of three-stage amplifiers 56 arranged upstream of a second one,i.e. the bottom one, of the two integrated circuit chips 10, and thehorizontally polarized signal collected from the second one of the twoantenna feed horns may be transmitted to the input of the other one,i.e. the bottommost one, of the two sets of three-stage amplifiers 56arranged upstream of the second one of the two integrated circuit chips10.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 9, the right-hand circularly polarizedsignal collected from a first one of the two antenna feed horns at afirst one of the focal points of the reflector dish for a first one ofthe satellites may be transmitted to the input of one, i.e. the top one,of the two sets of three-stage amplifiers 56 arranged upstream of afirst one, i.e. the top one, of the two integrated circuit chips 10, andthe left-hand circularly signal collected from the first one of the twoantenna feed horns may be transmitted to the input of the other one,i.e. the second top one, of the two sets of three-stage amplifiers 56arranged upstream of the first one of the two integrated circuit chips10. The right-hand circularly signal collected from a second one of thetwo antenna feed horns at a second one of the focal points of thereflector dish for a second one of the satellites may be transmitted tothe input of one, i.e. the second bottom one, of the two sets ofthree-stage amplifiers 56 arranged upstream of a second one, i.e. thebottom one, of the two integrated circuit chips 10, and the left-handcircularly signal collected from the second one of the two antenna feedhorns may be transmitted to the input of the other one, i.e. thebottommost one, of the two sets of three-stage amplifiers 56 arrangedupstream of the second one of the two integrated circuit chips 10.

Referring to FIG. 9, each of the four switch matrixs 111 may have twoinputs arranged in parallel, one of which is coupled to a correspondingone of the four amplifiers 13 of one of the two integrated circuit chips10 and the other one of which is coupled to a corresponding one of thefour amplifiers 13 of the other one of the two integrated circuit chips10. Each of the switch matrixs 111 may switch or pass one of its twoinputs to its output coupled to an input of a corresponding one of thefour amplifiers 112.

Referring to FIG. 9, each of the four amplifiers 112 may have its inputto be amplified as an output of said each of the four amplifiers 112 andhave an optimum 1 dB compression point (P1 dB) to prevent electronicdevices downstream of the four respective amplifiers 112 from beingburned out when an excessive power is provided to one of the fouramplifiers 112.

Referring to FIG. 9, the signal receiver 110 may generate four outputsfrom the four respective amplifiers 112 to four respective set top boxesin an indoor system through four respective cables.

Referring to FIG. 9, each of the two integrated circuit chips 10 may bepackaged like the above electronic package 40 to be mounted onto amother circuit board (not shown) via the metal pins 45. Each of themixers 52, each of the local oscillators (LO) 53, each of the band-passfilters (BPF) 54, each of the splitters 55, each of the combiners 111,each of the amplifiers 112 and each one in each set of three-stageamplifiers 56 may be implemented in another corresponding discreteintegrated circuit chip to be packaged into another correspondingdiscrete electronic package that may be mounted onto the mother circuitboard (not shown) via solder balls or metal pins of the anothercorresponding discrete electronic package, for example.

The components, steps, features, benefits and advantages that have beendiscussed are merely illustrative. None of them, nor the discussionsrelating to them, are intended to limit the scope of protection in anyway. Numerous other embodiments are also contemplated. These includeembodiments that have fewer, additional, and/or different components,steps, features, benefits and advantages. These also include embodimentsin which the components and/or steps are arranged and/or ordereddifferently.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions,magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in thisspecification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, notexact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistentwith the functions to which they relate and with what is customary inthe art to which they pertain. Furthermore, unless stated otherwise, thenumerical ranges provided are intended to be inclusive of the statedlower and upper values. Moreover, unless stated otherwise, all materialselections and numerical values are representative of preferredembodiments and other ranges and/or materials may be used.

The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims, and such scopeis intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistentwith the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claimswhen interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecutionhistory that follows, and to encompass all structural and functionalequivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated circuit chip comprising: a firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier configured to generate adifferential output associated with an input of said firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier; a secondsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier configured to generate adifferential output associated with an input of said secondsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier; a first switch circuitconfigured to be arranged downstream of said firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier, wherein said first switchcircuit comprises a differential input configured to be associated withsaid differential output of said first single-ended-to-differentialamplifier, wherein said first switch circuit comprises a differentialoutput configured to be associated with a first node; and a secondswitch circuit configured to be arranged downstream of said secondsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier, wherein said second switchcircuit comprises a differential input configured to be associated withsaid differential output of said second single-ended-to-differentialamplifier, wherein said second switch circuit comprises a differentialoutput configured to be associated with said first node, wherein saidfirst and second single-ended-to-differential amplifiers and said firstand second switch circuits are incorporated in said integrated circuitchip.
 2. The integrated circuit chip of claim 1 further comprising adifferential-to-single-ended amplifier having a differential inputassociated with said first node, wherein saiddifferential-to-single-ended amplifier is incorporated in saidintegrated circuit chip.
 3. The integrated circuit chip of claim 1further comprising a third switch circuit configured to be arrangeddownstream of said first single-ended-to-differential amplifier, whereinsaid third switch circuit comprises a differential input configured tobe associated with said differential output of said firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier, wherein said third switchcircuit comprises a differential output configured to be associated witha second node, and a fourth switch circuit configured to be arrangeddownstream of said second single-ended-to-differential amplifier,wherein said fourth switch circuit comprises a differential inputconfigured to be associated with said differential output of said secondsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier, wherein said fourth switchcircuit comprises a differential output configured to be associated withsaid second node, wherein said third and fourth switch circuits areincorporated in said integrated circuit chip.
 4. The integrated circuitchip of claim 3 further comprising a first differential-to-single-endedamplifier having a differential input associated with said first node,and a second differential-to-single-ended amplifier having adifferential input associated with said second node, wherein said firstand second differential-to-single-ended amplifiers are incorporated insaid integrated circuit chip.
 5. The integrated circuit chip of claim 1further comprising a first differential-to-differential amplifierconfigured to be arranged downstream of said firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier and upstream of said first switchcircuit, wherein said first differential-to-differential amplifiercomprises a differential input configured to be associated with saiddifferential output of said first single-ended-to-differential amplifierand a differential output configured to be associated with saiddifferential input of said first switch circuit, and a seconddifferential-to-differential amplifier configured to be arrangeddownstream of said second single-ended-to-differential amplifier andupstream of said second switch circuit, wherein said seconddifferential-to-differential amplifier comprises a differential inputconfigured to be associated with said differential output of said secondsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier and a differential outputconfigured to be associated with said differential input of said secondswitch circuit, wherein said first and seconddifferential-to-differential amplifiers are incorporated in saidintegrated circuit chip.
 6. The integrated circuit chip of claim 1,wherein said differential output of said firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier has a phase difference ofsubstantially 180 degrees.
 7. The integrated circuit chip of claim 1,wherein said differential output of said first switch circuit has aphase difference of substantially 180 degrees.
 8. The integrated circuitchip of claim 1 configured to process multiple signals from one or moresatellites.
 9. A signal receiver configured to process multiple signalsfrom one or more satellites, comprising: a firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier configured to generate adifferential output associated with an input of said firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier; a secondsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier configured to generate adifferential output associated with an input of said secondsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier; a first switch circuitconfigured to be arranged downstream of said firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier, wherein said first switchcircuit comprises a differential input configured to be associated withsaid differential output of said first single-ended-to-differentialamplifier, wherein said first switch circuit comprises a differentialoutput configured to be associated with a first node; and a secondswitch circuit configured to be arranged downstream of said secondsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier, wherein said second switchcircuit comprises a differential input configured to be associated withsaid differential output of said second single-ended-to-differentialamplifier, wherein said second switch circuit comprises a differentialoutput configured to be associated with said first node.
 10. The signalreceiver of claim 9 further comprising a differential-to-single-endedamplifier having a differential input associated with said first node.11. The signal receiver of claim 9 further comprising a third switchcircuit configured to be arranged downstream of said firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier, wherein said third switchcircuit comprises a differential input configured to be associated withsaid differential output of said first single-ended-to-differentialamplifier, wherein said third switch circuit comprises a differentialoutput configured to be associated with a second node, and a fourthswitch circuit configured to be arranged downstream of said secondsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier, wherein said fourth switchcircuit comprises a differential input configured to be associated withsaid differential output of said second single-ended-to-differentialamplifier, wherein said fourth switch circuit comprises a differentialoutput configured to be associated with said second node.
 12. The signalreceiver of claim 11 further comprising a firstdifferential-to-single-ended amplifier having a differential inputassociated with said first node, and a seconddifferential-to-single-ended amplifier having a differential inputassociated with said second node.
 13. The signal receiver of claim 9further comprising a first differential-to-differential amplifierconfigured to be arranged downstream of said firstsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier and upstream of said first switchcircuit, wherein said first differential-to-differential amplifiercomprises a differential input configured to be associated with saiddifferential output of said first single-ended-to-differential amplifierand a differential output configured to be associated with saiddifferential input of said first switch circuit, and a seconddifferential-to-differential amplifier configured to be arrangeddownstream of said second single-ended-to-differential amplifier andupstream of said second switch circuit, wherein said seconddifferential-to-differential amplifier comprises a differential inputconfigured to be associated with said differential output of said secondsingle-ended-to-differential amplifier and a differential outputconfigured to be associated with said differential input of said secondswitch circuit.
 14. The signal receiver of claim 9, wherein saiddifferential output of said first single-ended-to-differential amplifierhas a phase difference of substantially 180 degrees.
 15. The signalreceiver of claim 9, wherein said differential output of said firstswitch circuit has a phase difference of substantially 180 degrees. 16.An integrated circuit chip comprising: a first switch circuit comprisinga differential output configured to be associated with a first node; asecond switch circuit comprising a differential output configured to beassociated with said first node, wherein said first and second switchcircuits are incorporated in said integrated circuit chip; and a thirdswitch circuit comprising a differential input configured to beassociated with a second node, wherein said first switch circuitcomprises a differential input configured to be associated with saidsecond node, and a differential output configured to be associated witha third node, and a fourth switch circuit comprising a differentialinput configured to be associated with a fourth node, wherein saidsecond switch circuit comprises a differential input configured to beassociated with said fourth node, and a differential output configuredto be associated with said third node, wherein said third and fourthswitch circuits are incorporated in said integrated circuit chip. 17.The integrated circuit chip of claim 16 further comprising adifferential-to-single-ended amplifier having a differential inputconfigured to be associated with said first node, wherein saiddifferential-to-single-ended amplifier is incorporated in saidintegrated circuit chip.
 18. The integrated circuit chip of claim 16further comprising a first amplifier having a differential outputconfigured to be associated with a differential input of said firstswitch circuit, and a second amplifier having a differential outputconfigured to be associated with a differential input of said secondswitch circuit, wherein said first and second amplifiers areincorporated in said integrated circuit chip.
 19. The integrated circuitchip of claim 16 configured to process multiple signals from one or moresatellites.